Facetime: Celebrating the Solstice

We asked the winter solstice revelers who ventured out in minus-10-degree weather: What's your favorite winter activity?

By SARA GLASSMAN, Star Tribune

December 28, 2008 at 5:34AM
Martine LaRoche Hegman of Minneapolis and Becky Saar from Alexandria. During the winter, Hegman loves ice skating and Saar likes to shop.
Martine LaRoche Hegman of Minneapolis and Becky Saar from Alexandria. During the winter, Hegman loves ice skating and Saar likes to shop. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The winter solstice provides the least daylight of the year, but the celebratory party at Soundbar wasn't at all dark. Belly dancers, sword swallowers, tribal drummers and fire dancers along with the singer Wildflower created a performance melange at the Minneapolis club.

Their goal was not to dwell on the frigid weather or the official start of winter, but to welcome back the light that will lengthen daily. Fire was key in the multilayered, sensory-loaded show.

"I like to inspire people to live their best lives. They can come here and forget the stuff that is bothering them," said Wildflower, who describes her vocal style as "ethereal."

The beat and mood were contagious among audience members, including one masked man who identified himself as V from the movie "V for Vendetta."

"There is no better way to celebrate than with dancing and music and drumming --there's sound all around you," attendee Andrea Johnson said.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177

Singer/dancer Wildflower, (also known as Jessalyn Devereaux) likes to sit by the fireplace and drink hot cocoa.
Singer/dancer Wildflower, (also known as Jessalyn Devereaux) likes to sit by the fireplace and drink hot cocoa. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

SARA GLASSMAN, Star Tribune